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MILLENNIUM MOSAIC       

To celebrate the Millennium Barnstaple Town Council commissioned a mosaic depicting the history of the Town.  The Mosaic is set in the sunken quay area of the Strand Promenade outside of the Heritage Centre.  Each of the 53 panels show an important period depicting scenes of Barnstaple's past, with the focus on the history of the riverfront and quayside.  Using coloured mosaic tiles, the scenes were created forming a chronological sequence of significant events from the 10th to the 21st Century. 

wpe12.jpg (11935 bytes) Warships built in readiness for Viking Attack

wpe11.jpg (7705 bytes) 1208 First Record of the Long Bridge

Age Concern Barnstaple were instrumental in helping with the mosaic and through the local office a grant was obtained from the Lottery.  The people of Barnstaple gave donations of £1 and their details are to be recorded and buried in a time capsule that will be buried in September within the Town.  

The first Tile was laid by the eldest lady at Age Concern and workshops were held throughout the Town which enabled residents of Barnstaple to lay their own tiles.   The rest of the mosaic panels were made by the two local artists Shannon Ridd and Jonathan Rodney-Jones of Articulture who were commissioned to design and lay the mosaic.

wpe14.jpg (9372 bytes) 1346:  7 ships join Edwards Fleet against France.

wpe15.jpg (6609 bytes) 1584: "Story" Pirates rob the Salamon of Barnstaple   

Many of the panels were sponsored by companies and individuals from around the Town and these include:-

Tesco, Whitbread plc, Truscotts Barnstaple, Green Lanes Shopping Centre, H A Malek and Partners, The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain (Western Section), William C Hockin (Transport) Ltd, Brend Hotels, Arthur H Cox & Co. Limited, Soroptimist International, Mark Parkhouse Antiques & Jewellery, The Haywood Family, Brian Ford's/Ford & Lock, The Monk Family, C H Brannam, All ranks and services RMB Chivenor. 

wpe10.jpg (10790 bytes) 16th Century: Silver Industry in Barnstaple  

wpe10.jpg (20927 bytes) 1590: Troops sent to Ireland

Postcards featuring the mosaic can be obtained from the Barnstaple Heritage Centre. Pictures Courtesy of Chris Haywood.

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